3M supplied more than 1.18m toxic filters in Korea: report

[THE INVESTOR] A government report showed on July 22 that more than 1.18 million units of 3M’s air filters, found to contain toxic chemicals, were distributed to electronics makers and automotive firms over the past three years.

According to the report of the Ministry of Environment, submitted to Rep. Kim Sam-hwa of the opposition People’s Party, 1.18 million units of the problematic 3M filters were used for a total of seven air purifier models made by electronics firms including Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics and Cuckoo.

The air filters made by the US chemical firm were found to contain Octylisothiazolinone -- a toxic chemical substance that can cause respiratory diseases-in the ministry’s recent investigation.

There could be more tainted filters distributed in the market as 3M has supplied 2.15 million air filters for air-conditioning systems of six car component makers, including Hyundai Mobis and Doowon, for the past three years. It is expected that many of the supplied filters could contain the same chemical substance.

The ministry requested electronics firms found to have used the toxic air filters to recall 87 air purifiers and air conditioners, among a total of 88 tested.

By Kim Young-won (wone0102@heraldcorp.com)